After signing the 23-year-old full back from Vitesse Arnhem what can we tell you about the talents of the latest Dutchman to arrive at Old Trafford?
With the impending deal for Alexander Buttner imminent who has Sir Alex Ferguson snapped up and what can we tell you about him?
1. Alex was born in Doetinchem in 1989, other footballers to hail from the Dutch town include former Cardiff and Celtic defender Glenn Loovens and ex Dutch international and Man City midfielder Paul Bosvelt.
2. After impressing with local side VV Doetinchem, Alex joined the famed youth academy of Ajax.
3. After leaving the Dutch giants aged 16 he moved back to Gelderland, and despite being from Doetinchem, home of De Graafschap he signed instead for rivals Vitesse Arnhem.
4. After making his debut in 2008 he went on to score his first goal for the club against FC Volendam in a 3-1 victory.
5. He has since gone on to amass 107 league appearances for Vitesse scoring 10 goals.
6. Alex is a versatile player who has operated on the wing, holding midfield and attacking midfield but has more recently established himself as a left back.
7. He was included in the 36 man preliminary squad for The Netherlands disastrous Euro 2012 campaign but was not taken to the tournament itself.
8. He has therefore yet to make his full Dutch debut but has represented the Oranje at youth team levels.
9. In July it seemed certain Alex would sign for Southampton with a fee agreed between both sides and a medical being, seemingly, the only obstacle. However an unnamed third party requested a portion of the transfer fee and the deal collapsed.
10. After failing in their attempts to sign Leighton Baines and cooling interest in Copenhagen and Costa Rica left back Bryan Oviedo, The Red Devils have moved to take the 23 year old to Old Trafford to provide backup, and competition, for Patrice Evra.
Here he is in action…
image: © birdies perch
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